Gavin Coombes: Inexperienced Ireland can learn from this defeat

Gavin Coombes was left to rue a string of missed opportunities by Ireland as the Maori All Blacks celebrated a 32-17 win but the No.8 vowed that lessons would be learned from a chastening defeat

NEARLY THERE: Ireland's Gavin Coombes with Billy Harmon and Brad Weber of the Maori All Blacks. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Gavin Coombes was left to rue a string of missed opportunities by Ireland as the Maori All Blacks celebrated a 32-17 win but the No.8 vowed that lessons would be learned from a chastening opening to the summer tour of New Zealand.

Coombes had pulled on a green jersey for the first time since making his first two Test appearances for Ireland against Japan and the USA 12 months ago in Dublin and his try-scoring performance was one of the few positives on a disappointing outing for Andy Farrell’s second string.